The International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) has urged President Bola Tinubu to consider granting a conditional presidential pardon to suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, in the interest of national security.
In a statement issued Friday by its Head of Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria, Duru Hezekiah, the IHRC argued that Nigeria’s current wave of insecurity—ranging from terrorism and kidnapping to organized crime—calls for a bold and strategic approach, including the potential reintegration of experienced law enforcement operatives.
The commission clarified that its appeal does not seek to interfere with ongoing judicial proceedings, but instead aims to open a national dialogue around a future-focused, constitutionally grounded option that could aid national stability.
“Our position is not to circumvent justice or interfere with legal processes,” the statement read. “Rather, we urge a future-focused approach that recognises the tactical value of experienced security personnel—if found eligible under the law and subject to public accountability.”
The IHRC cited Section 175 of the 1999 Constitution, which empowers the President to grant pardons and reprieves, proposing a “conditional clemency” model—one that has been applied globally in post-conflict reconciliation, cybercrime rehabilitation, and law enforcement intelligence deals.
Examples from the United States and Africa were referenced, where individuals with operational expertise were strategically reintegrated under strict legal and ethical oversight to bolster national security objectives.
“A conditional pardon for Kyari—subject to public accountability—could transform a controversial figure into a rehabilitated asset in Nigeria’s fight against crime,” the commission added.
Once Nigeria’s most decorated anti-crime officer, Abba Kyari gained national fame for high-profile crackdowns on kidnapping and terrorism. His fall from grace began in 2022 following allegations of involvement in an international cocaine trafficking network, leading to his ongoing prosecution by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Despite reaffirming its respect for the judicial process, the IHRC is calling for dialogue among civil society, legal experts, security analysts, and policymakers on how justice and national resilience can be harmonised.
“We are not advocating impunity. We propose a rehabilitative, oversight-driven reintegration process that prioritises national security—especially when conventional justice may be constrained by timing or circumstance.”
The commission concluded by urging President Tinubu to lead a historic and strategic decision that balances justice, constitutional authority, and the need to restore public confidence in Nigeria’s security architecture.
